I've already written about this to some extent in my second book Meditations of a Modern Warrior Vol 2, under the chapter title 'It Can Happen Anywhere'. This was in relation to the terrorist attack at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi.

Recently we have seen the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino and numerous 'active shooter' attacks in the USA.

Familiarity brings with it a false sense of security which we, as any form of security professional; must guard against, as instructors; must constantly remind our students about, and who the sheeple; unfortunately will never realise just how vulnerable they may be.

A phrase I coined in regards to what I do 'close protection' and 'self-protection' was *Paranoia and obsession do not come into it, dedication and professionalism does*.All this means is I do what I do 24/7 365 days a year.

Knowing how our enemy works, their M.O is vital in relation to both parts of our lives, professionally and privately.While at work we can plan for any direct threat that our Principal may face but we must also plan for other threats, that not only our Principal may face but one that could affect ourselves and our family.These are the indirect threat and the opportunistic threat. see *Meditations of a Modern Warrior Vol 2* for an explanation of these attacks.

At some point we all visit the same sort of locations; shopping malls, sport stadiums, theatres, pubs, clubs, restaurants and cinemas.As protection specialists we conduct reconnaissance operations on these locations before we attend them, how many of you do so in your private life? And you, the citizen, the member of the public have you ever thought about what you would do in an attack while at one of these locations?

Would you know what to do in a busy shopping mall?

Would you know what to do in a less crowded location?

So put yourself in the position of the terrorist, how would you plan an attack on these locations, the ones you are going to visit for the first time or one that you visit frequently?

As a terrorist:How would you get to that location?How would you transport weapons, pistols, rifles or explosives?When, where and how would you conduct a recce?When are the busiest times?What are the busiest areas in the location?What would be your escape route? if you wanted to escape that is.Where would you site a secondary explosive device?Just a few considerations when planning an attack.

In my second book I touch on Run - Hide - Fight and just for your info the UK government has not included the 'Fight' part in their advice to UK citizens caught up in an attack!Where and when would you do any of these?Where do you think everyone else would stampede to?

The Nairobi attack lasted for five days.The Paris attack was over in a matter of hours.The San Bernardino initial attack lasted only a few minutes.

Could you survive for minutes, hours or even days?

Now think about Tunisia, you are on busy beach, none or very little cover, if you cant run or hide then how are you going to get close enough to the terrorist to fight if unarmed or how and when are you going to engage if you have family with you and you are armed?

It really can happen anywhere, are you prepared and thinking like a terrorist?